Mexico purges 284 cops

The Chicago Tribune

MEXICO CITY, Mexico — Mexico purged 284 commanders from the top ranks of its federal police forces Monday as part of an effort to contain corruption and halt an underworld war between drug traffickers.

Public Safety Secretary Genaro Garcia Luna said the federal police chiefs in all 32 states were among those demoted and sent to be retrained. They will be replaced with officers from an elite corps that underwent special training and vetting.

Mexico has been plagued not only by corrupt officers working for drug dealers, but also by honest officers too terrified to take on the gangs.